Patient bedside phone help

[WinterKisses]

I have just started my clinical course. Recently I have been told to answer the patients bed side phone for them while they are busy, i.e. bathroom or during exams. So far I have been answering "Room number phone, may I ask who is calling? I will have this rooms occupant call you back when they are available." I don't give names or information over the phone but it still feels awkward to answer the phone when the call is for the patient. They have the correct room number and patient but I can't give them any information on why the patient is busy. Do you have any advice on how to handle this better? What should I be saying instead?

[TriciaJ, RN]

"He can't pick up his phone right now. Can I tell him who called?" Most people understand that a hospital patient might be away from his bed or in the middle of something. If they get nosy or persistent, pretend you didn't hear that and just say "He'll probably be available in a half hour or so if you want to try back then." Then bid them a cheery goodbye and hang up.

[O9eleven]

"He can't pick up his phone right now. Can I tell him who called?" Most people understand that a hospital patient might be away from his bed or in the middle of something. If they get nosy or persistent, pretend you didn't hear that and just say "He'll probably be available in a half hour or so if you want to try back then." Then bid them a cheery goodbye and hang up.

I believe OP is answering correctly. She has followed patient privacy. You have just confirmed to me that a male patient is in that room.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I am sorry but I do not answer a patient's phone unless I ask them if they want me to or if they ask me to do so .A great majority of patients have their smart phones with them anyway....are we going to answer those too? I think we need to let the patients have control over whether or not they want to answer their phone. It's probably another silly patient satisfaction idea!

If you are forced to answer it you can't even say the patients name since they may be calling for the previous patient. I would just say, "This is room 242, may I help you". and if they ask for the patient you then have to ask the patient if they want to speak to so and so. You may get stuck in the middle if they do not want to talk with anyone. I also believe it could also put the nurse at risk for inadvertently revealing patient information! Nurses have enough to do.....now we must add secretary to the list...No Thanks!